Shri Karkal Tirth
42 feet high idol of Bhagwan bahubali
Mulnayak: Nearly 137 cms
high, black-colored idol of Bhagawan Neminath in the semi-Padmsana posture
Art and Architecture: chaturmukh basdi
How to Reach: The nearest
railway station of Karkal is at a distance of two kilometer and Mangalore is at a distance
of 63 kilometers via mudbidri. 24 Kms from Varang. Bus service and private vehicles are
available. There are board and lodging provisions near the temple.
Historicity:- Karkal is a great Jain center from ancient period. This place was the capital of Shanatar dynasty established by King Jinadutaa of Humcha.The famous Shantinath basdi was built in 1334 AD. A jain temple was also made by King Bhairavray of Mudbidri. King vir Panday Bhairas installed the famous idol of Bhagwan Bahubali on the pattern of Sharvanbelgola.
The rough image of Bahubali was carved out of a rock lying about 1 Km from the present location. It was tranported to the hill and final shape was given in one year by numerous scuplutors. It was finally erected at the site by 25000 people with the help of ropes and savvalas. this great idol was installed on 13 feburary, 1432 AD. The mahamastakabhisek of this idol was again done on 16 Feburary 1646. the Gommtesh idol is installed on Chikkbet(small hill)It is about 300 feet high from the ground and steps are provided to climb up to the hill. this idol is visible from a distance. One can have the birdeye view of the karkal town from the hill.
Chaturmukh basdi also known as Tribhuvantilak temple was built in 16 CAD. this temple is made on 108 pillars which are beautifully carved and decorated.. on the three side the idols of Bhagwan Arahnath- Bhagwan Mallinath and Bhagwan Munisuvtranath are installed. on the fourth side, the idols of 24 tirthanakara are installed
The other temples at Karkal are:-
Parsvanath basdi: at the foothills have an idol of bhagwan parsvanath and devi padmavati.
Chandranath mandir:-this temple is Digamabar jain math where the idol of Bhagwan Chandranath in kayotsarg posture and yakshi Kusmandini are very attractive.
bammraj basdi is dedicated to bhagwan parsvanath and the famous Ramsamudera ( sarovar) is here.
Sharvan basdi dedicated to bhagwan Chandraprabh was built in 1604 AD.
there are other ancient temple -Bahubali Sravikaashram- Kere basdi- aramane basdi- neminath basdi(near hiraygandi village)- adinath basdi(abbagdevi basdi)-gammatikari(parsvanath basdi)- Cham (adinath)basdi- ananatnath basdi- guru basdi- haere (neminath basdi)
Trust: Shri bhattarak Lalitkirtiji; Shri digamabar jain math,post karkalpin 574104, Distt. manglore; Karnataka